Gweru battles to reduce housing backlog

Gweru (New Ziana) – Gweru’s housing waiting list stands at 38 000, and the local authority, working with private land developers, has identified land to develop more housing to try and meet demand, a senior municipal official has said.

One of the oldest suburbs in Gweru, Mtapa high density suburb, is set to be upgraded and the conversion of the rented houses to home-ownership will see 198 families owning the houses.

Servicing of Mkoba 21 housing scheme is now underway where 1 784 beneficiaries purchased residential stands in 2014.

“The demand for housing in the city has remained on the upward trend despite the limited availability of new residential schemes. Efforts are underway to identify suitable land to cater for this demand and supply gap,” said Gweru Mayor, councillor Hamutendi Kombayi.

“I have heard questions about the development of Mkoba 21, beneficiaries want to know when they can start building. Servicing of Mkoba 21 housing scheme is now underway where 1 784 beneficiaries purchased residential stands in 2014.”

He said Gweru City Council has contracted three land developers – Sheasham Investments, Wackdrive and CASAS, to provide services on the long awaited Mkoba 21 housing scheme.

“Sheasham Investments and Wackdrive are on the ground and works have since commenced. CASAS is still awaiting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate for them to start works. Issuing of Agreement of Sale forms to beneficiaries will commence once we get site plans from the surveyor general,” Kombayi said.

He said work on the upgrading of Mtapa high density suburb is currently underway.

“Council at its 696th ordinary council meeting deliberated on Mtapa upgrading and resolutions for the upgrading of Mtapa are now in place,” he added.
New Ziana